markkbranson
Another indie film and this one has certain aspects of independents: some bad acting, cheesy soundtrack, bad lighting, and even worse effects (note, for example, Simon's face which looks like mud pack instead of some serious injury). On the other hand, there are things that recommend this film: the pacing, anti-romantic exterior shots, and a theme that is--at least in my viewing--engaging.The pacing is slow and, as noted by commentators above, perhaps too slow--at least from some. I believe that this pace is dead (if you will pardon this pun)-on given what the film is doing: exploring the life of those who for whatever reason survive the zombie apocalypse. Life has to be a drudgery and unbelievably slow. This fact is why the film is paced the way it is. Only in the last few moments does this pace change, but the pace that gets viewers to this end is really what it should be. So give this film its due and let the story happen for you.I relished the anti-romantic shots of this film. You may wonder what is "anti-romantic." Romantic is the early 19th century view of the world where nature is our friend and nature is beautiful/awe-inspiring. Painters reflected this world view where human images were small in the "face" of this awesome nature. In this film, however, this idyllic them is undercut over and over because of the somber mood the film makers set from the beginning. So when Charlie is pictured going to the barn along the windy country road with a beautiful blue sky and lush greenery, the mood is NOT awe-inspiring but terrifying because we know "all is NOT right with this world." I enjoyed the play with images and the undercutting of the typical expectation.Lastly the theme is announced a couple of time with the word "Hope" scrawled in white paint on a makeshift grave marker. For me, this theme is clear and is as old as Dante: abandon all hope those who enter. Indeed, the sense of hopelessness, particularly announced by Simon toward the end of the film and Simon's final action (you need to watch the movie to see because I will not spoil it for you), is always in this film and seems exactly right for this film. Form and function merge wonderfully here and if you allow this film to work for you, I believe you will find your time well-spent.OK--yes this film has its flaws; that is why I gave it seven stars. If you ware one hope looks for action and lots of SFX, this films is not for you. If, however, you relish an intellectual viewing, then pour yourself a brandy, sit back, sip your drink, and relish this film. And for nothing else, watch the funny play at the end of the credits when the humane society disclaimer about no harm to animals happened in this film. Watch and enjoy!
Cyberknight Masao Kawata
I was curious about this film, because some review or synopsis pointed at the ending. Some times, a film is almost absolutely boring, even annoying, but an unexpected and amazing ending turns it upside down, for the good. Taking an example, "Abre Los Ojos" ("Open Your Eyes", 1997), with no special or visual effects, aside from some make-up and props, manages to turn an hour of pure drama (good drama, if you are into it) into an astonishing science fiction thriller using nothing but words (three of the most important of them on a black screen, mind you!). Then, take "Vanilla Sky" (2001), an American remake of "Abre Los Ojos"... On the latter, the drama just keeps on going, endlessly, literally, because "Vanilla Sky" has no proper ending, with the main character lying on bed, contemplating the ceiling... Ouch...! That said, let's review "Farm"."Farm" goes on endlessly until it simply finishes, without an actual ending. There is no surprise, no turning point whatsoever and, mostly, no purpose, because there is no story, really. The film is a snapshot of a broken family after/during a zombie apocalypse. There is no character development, there is no plot evolution (except for the most obvious zombie attack at the ending, but who couldn't tell the film would end with that?) One useless character dies (the mutilated brother of the leading character), but that was previously replaced by another useless character, so it ends as it starts, with two characters (they replaced a brother for a random girl, but luckily, or sadly, depending on perspective, they don't fall to the romantic clichés, at least, on screen).About the actors... Do you know the expression "that looked rehearsed"? This film is way worse, it sounded as if no one had even cared to rehearse its lines. Some parts even sounded improvised (not always a bad thing, works wonders in some films, if the actors know how to act). I've seen better performances on amateur school projects (search YouTube and compare, if you dare!) Even some of the zombies, with their "aaahhh!" one-liners, sounded so amateurish that it crossed the line from boring to irking.The music is fine, for the film. It's moody, depressing and uneventful. It has just a piano playing for the whole 72min...The make-up is amateurish, some times embarrassing. The mutilated brother has a huge scar on his face, which doesn't match his skin colour, or that of scar tissue (for damned sake, they made it grayish, what?!) And why are the zombies so easy to kill? The leading character kills most of them using a short knife (one of them has its skull pierced through with a single straight forward strike, so, unless the "zombifying" disease also turns bones into jelly, that couldn't be possible). That also raises a question, how could the zombies take over the world, being so easy to kill? Almost forgot, there is one jump scare in the film. The mutilated brother dreams of being "normal", then a "zombified" mother pops up and oh, scary... Only it was not. Good make-up (arguably the best in the whole film), but the scene was just annoying.Finally, what annoyed me the most, the pretentious artistic value... So, there is this close up shot, at the very end of the film, of a wooden sigh on the road, painted with what looks like blood (or a crimson paint with a wet finishing, who knows what it was meant to be), saying "FARM", with an arrow pointing at the direction the survivors came from. It stays on screen much longer than it should, like screaming for attention, as if it had an immensely profound meaning... Yes, we got it, the farm is that way, so what? Was it supposed to mean the zombies started regaining their intelligence and were indicating to other zombies where to find a fresh meal? As pointless as the rest of the film.
Aussie-Byrd-Brother
Two brothers try to maintain in a world that has slipped into chaos, brought down by an infection that has decimated the human population. They live out each tedious day, the older one Charlie attending to their farm, self sufficient with meager supplies of basic food and water, while his younger brother Simon is disfigured and quietly losing his grip on sanity, giving up on the will to live. They are both unaware of how truly widespread the damage is, and once a stranger Sarah arrives at the farm seeking refuge, the trio must decide what their next move is.Filled with a creeping, subtle dread and very careful pacing, 'The Farm' is a low-budget 'zombie' film that focuses on human struggles over outright gore. Directors Hank Bausch and Andrew M. Jackson bring a quiet subtlety, successfully building an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and isolation. The three acting leads - Michael Hotop, Freddie Meyer and Ashley Salazar - all deliver restrained moments of strength and resignation, conveying their bleak situation more than adequately. Composer Nadine Gleason's melancholic piano score is subdued and haunting for much of the film, booming and stalking when needed to raise the tension, and it perfectly compliments a few moments of very striking imagery from cinematographer Evan Kimball Plochmann and cameraman Nathan Ackerman.While the infected themselves sometimes look a little crummy, the clothing and hair of the leads probably a little too clean and perfect, and some moments in the acting that are a little strained, there's an eerie sadness that permeates the movie. If you prefer fast-paced gorier horror films, then you'll have to look elsewhere. But if you can appreciate a subtle story that takes it's time to establish characters, and if you have the patience to listen and watch quietly, you'll find 'The Farm' perfectly compliments TV shows like 'The Walking Dead', and is successful in offering a similar sombre, unhappy atmosphere with just little traces of hope.An encouraging 7/10 for a decent little horror debut from promising horror fan film-makers.
